hire to play

hire to playv. phr.— «Not to be outdone, the D.C. Republicans say let’s ban gifts worth more than $20 and also outlaw the odious little practice called “hire to play.” That one has been forcing lobbying firms to hire more Republicans before they can set to work lobbying.» —“Creative thinkers will find a way around gift ban” by Mary Ann Lindley Tallahassee Democrat (Florida) Jan. 22, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)